Staples: Jackson’s Historic Restaurants

As we all know, Jackson is rich in history; from monuments to landmarks and even restaurants, there is so much history in our city. Many restaurants have stood the test of time and have been Jackson staples for as long as anyone can recall. Check out some of our favorite historic spots to grab a bite in Jackson.

Brent's Drugs in Fondren

Brent’s Drugs

A Fondren staple, Brent’s opened in October 1946 with the completion of the Morgan Center, the first shopping center in Mississippi that was later renamed Woodland Hills Shopping Center. Pharmacist Alvin Brent left Patterson’s Drugs in the Plaza Building downtown to open his own pharmacy and soda fountain in the Fondren neighborhood. From its inception, Brent’s was not only a successful pharmacy but also a local gathering place for friends. Brent owned and ran the pharmacy until he sold it in 1977 to pharmacists Paul Helfin and Bob Grantham, who had worked there since 1951. It went through a handful of other owners throughout the years until finally, in 2009, Fondren resident Brad Reeves obtained the now pharmacy-free Brent’s. Brent’s was renovated in 2014 to bring it to the modern days while still keeping some charm. Decades later, Brent’s is always a local favorite that serves up delicious burgers, sandwiches, breakfast, and, of course, classic malts and milkshakes.

Built as the Armour Company Smoke House and Distribution Plant in 1906, this Jackson landmark is an icon of Mississippi’s rich heritage.

Iron Horse Grill

The smokehouse closed in 1977 and was purchased by John D. McWilliams to convert it into a restaurant. The original Iron Horse opened in 1986, and for 10 years, the Iron Horse was a popular downtown staple until two fires mysteriously burned through the interior, the first in 1998 and another in 1999. Half of the building was lost, and the rest was abandoned. Fourteen years later, a group of local citizens made a commitment to restore Iron Horse. The original structure was renovated and brought back from the ashes. Iron Horse Grill has been up and running ever since, serving up delicious steaks, seafood, pasta, and so much more. Iron Horse even has a museum inside, the Mississippi Music Experience at Iron Horse Grill. Learn about the birthplace of America’s music through stories and exhibits of Mississippi artists, trace the history of the music, and experience the expression of the human spirit through music. Of course, don’t forget to have a seat and order a burger, a platter of fajitas, or a hearty serving of shrimp and grits.

Mayflower Cafe

In operation since 1935, the Mayflower Café is the oldest operating restaurant in the capital city.

Mayflower

The Mayflower started as a hamburger stand, started by a pair of Greek immigrants and friends from the island of Patmos. Some years later, the Mayflower expanded into the neighboring beer garden to become a full-service restaurant. There were sandwiches, some Greek items, Chinese dishes, and plates of soul food. Over time, the menu was streamlined to spotlight now classic standards: redfish, flounder, and the Mayflower Greek Salad, complete with fresh lump crabmeat. The Mayflower Cafe is a downtown landmark, and few celebrities have even made their way to the Mayflower Cafe. It’s also been featured in a couple of films, including Ghosts of Mississippi and The Help. The house salad dressing at the Mayflower has been featured in Maxim magazine as the Nation’s Number One Condiment and was also featured on Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate. To go along with the famous salad, customers can enjoy a wide variety of seafood dishes, steaks, chicken, or even pasta dishes. There is also a “lunch only” menu available Monday through Friday that includes sandwiches, burgers, and po’boys, as well as plate lunches. If you’re looking for a taste of Jackson’s history, the Mayflower Cafe is the place to be.

A feast fit for a king at Crechale's in South Jackson

Crechale’s has been a local favorite for many years, with many customers returning over and over again.

Crechale’s

Paul Crechale opened his restaurant, Crechale’s, off highway 80 outside of downtown in 195. A native of the Greek island Skopelos, Paul was no stranger to the restaurant world. In the 1920s, he owned restaurants in Tampa Bay and Chicago and eventually made his way to Jackson. Today, Paul’s grandson Bob runs the favorite local restaurant. The menu remains similar to when it first began: prime steaks, hickory-smoked chicken, fish, shrimp, and crab.

What’s Cooking in JXN MS? Learn More
10 Black-Owned Restaurants You Want To Visit in JXN Learn More
Milkshakes, Museums: Family Time in JXN Learn More
Paige McKay White

Author

Paige McKay White

Paige is a contributing writer and former Associate Editor of Eat Drink Mississippi. She has worked for the magazine since 2017, both full-time and part-time, and now works for a local bank in their marketing department. Paige loves writing and food, so combining the two passions to contribute to the magazine and Visit Jackson just makes sense.

Related Content: